Dubrovnik
The red-roofed city of Dubrovnik can be admired from the walkway along its 10th century walls. Below, the elegant, marble-paved Stradun leads to colourful caf's, St Blaise's church, Sponza Palace and the cloistered Franciscan Monastery housing a pharmacy which has been in use since 1316.
Hvar
Hvar is a picturesque island on the Dalmatian Riviera, with good bathing beaches and a harbour backed by a hillside of terracotta-tiled houses. There are views of the sea and surrounding islets from the Fortica fortress, and the Franciscan monastery houses a museum exhibiting 16th-century paintings. Also in the town is the Cathedral of St Stephan, the unfinished Gothic palace of Hekrotivic, and a palm-fringed waterfront with seafood restaurants.
Kotor
The lovely fortified town of Kotor sits in a dramatic bay surrounded by limestone massifs in a magnificent region of Montenegro. Kotor's city walls enclose a well-preserved medieval centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. St Tryphon's Cathedral is decorated with 14th-century frescoes.
Rovinj
The first view of Rovinj from the sea is the much-photographed Riva waterfront and its brightly-painted houses, and the bell-tower of Saint Eufemia's Church which can be climbed for wonderful views of the town and the picturesque islands along the coast. Narrow cobbled streets lead up to the old town from the harbour, where three ancient defensive gates survive. Red Island and its beaches can be reached in 15 minutes by boat from Rovinj.
Sibenik
Sibenik is one of Croatia`s oldest cities, where the sights include the City Square, the Dukes and Bishop's Palaces and a Venetian Loggia, reached via the steep winding alleys of the Old Town. The highlight of a visit to Sibenik is the World Heritage-listed Renaissance cathedral of St James, built in 1434 and situated below the town's fortress walls. The city region of Dolac is peppered with lively cafes and restaurants serving local specialities.
Split
The World Heritage Site of Split is a bustling city and the second largest in Croatia. It gradually developed around the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built more than 1700 years ago and incorporating columns and sphinxes from Egypt. Remarkably it still thrives today, housing restaurants, shops and markets. Within the palace is the Peristile, a colonnaded square, and the cathedral. Split's Archaeological Museum exhibits Roman artefacts including coins, and reliefs of mythical figures.
Zadar
Once a dominant city on the Adriatic coast, picturesque Zadar is a historical treasure with the remains of a Roman Forum, the Church of St. Donat, the Romanesque Cathedral of St Anastasia, the Church of St Mary, and the Benedictine Convent. The city owns a permanent collection of church art known as 'The Gold and Silver of Zadar'. It has some good beaches, restaurants and taverns, serving up the local Maraskino liqueur.